J. Smallwood; Led Newfoundland Into Canada

Joey Smallwood, 90, who led Newfoundland into Canada as the nation’s 10th province and served as its tough, colorful leader for more than 20 years. Smallwood, the diminutive and dynamic son of a backwoods sawmill owner, became a political giant during nearly 23 turbulent years as Liberal premier of Newfoundland. A man of grand ambitions, Smallwood said in 1951: “I’d like to go down as the greatest Newfoundlander who ever lived.” Smallwood was born in Gambo, Newfoundland. He started his career as a reporter, working for newspapers in St. John’s, Halifax, Boston, New York and London. He later became a trade unionist and author, writing an extensive history, “The Book of Newfoundland,” before World War II. He started a campaign for the territory to join Canada in 1946 after learning that Britain would call a convention to decide Newfoundland’s future. Newfoundland joined the confederation in 1949, and Smallwood began a colorful career as premier. In 1972 he was defeated for reelection. In St. John’s, Newfoundland, on Wednesday.